Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-11-10
THE GREAT FLOP.


Vest Virginia Democrat of Friday last be-
cause we do not desire that Mr.. Mason's
light should be hid under bushel.
From The Vest Virginia Democrat Of Nor. 4, 1887.
Ostracise no One.
The Putnam Democrat, under its present
management, has the true ring and is enti-
tied to the cordial support of the party.
Its recent editorials indicate that "there is
a man at the Wheel" whose opinions will
not be bought with Federal Office. But
our friend in Putnam will permit CON-
ment on his editorial of the 2Sth. He says;
The establishment of the proposed paper at
Parkersburg bodies disaster TO our party. Mr..
Camden is said to be at the bottom of the
scheme and, it is reported, the new daily will
belong to the Randall wing. Mr.. Camden was
reported to have withdrawn from politics, but
if this new move in journalism means that he
will be in future politics, with personal organ
to back him, the outlook is unpromising.
Error is never dangerous when Truth is
free to combat it. Mr.. Camden cannot do
greater public service than to establish
paper for whose editorial utterances he will
be responsible. Our party is weak because
the politicians conceal their opinions and
evade discussing the very questions the
rank and file most desire to have debated.
We need men who stand out so we can see
them. If rival candidates for political Of
flee represent dintinctive views, money will
not be so potent in elections.
Mr.. Randall is in favor of tariff for pro-
lection as distinguished from a tariff for
revenue, In other words, he favors tax
on foreign goods, not because the tax is
necessary to raise revenue, but because it
will compel the many to pay tribute to the
privileged few. President Cleveland, and
an overwhelming majority of Democrats,
are against this doctrine; Blaine, Sherman
and an overwhelming majority of the Re
puplicans are in favor of it. A newspaper
avowedly in favor of tax for the purpo-
ses Of protection will be poweress for harm.
The Richmond Dispatch and the Atlanta
Constitution exert no appreciate influence
on the current of public opinion.
Mr. Camden has said that he does not in
tend to accept office but we do not under
stand that he has indicated purpose to
withdraw from politics. We trust he will
not do so. 1t is to be hoped that he will
interest himself more than ever in the cleo
tons. His influence will be exerted to pre-
vent the Republicans from carrying the
State. We greatly need more men of sa
gacity who take an active part in politics
although not seeking office. The greatest
danger threatening our institutions is the
fact that SO few men OF capacity concern
| themselves about public affairs unless they
are drawing salary from the Government
or unless they are asking for personal pref
erment We do not want Mr. Camden to
quit politics. If he favOrs the Randall doc
trine of a tariff for protection, then we are
against him on that issue, but we are with
him on Others; we are with him, for exam
pie, on the railroad question, and heartily
with him. On this subject he has made
better record than any man West Virginia
has ever had in Washington, and we be-
lieve that he did more than any other one
man in either House, Except Judge Rea-
gan to bring about the passage of the in
terstate commerce bill, which, in our judg-
ment. is the most valuable piece Of legisia
ton accomplished within fifty years. We
want the principles of that bill applied to
traffic within the State. and if Dir. Camden
lends his influence to bring about this, our
people will owe him debt greater than can
be paid.
We protested against any attempt " to
rule out the Kickers "; in the same spirit
and for the same reason we now resist any
suggestion "to rule out Mr.. Camden" or
any Of those who supported him. The
question with us is, not so much, what
Democrat has done in the past, as what he
will be able 70 do in the future, and if Mr..
Camden is instrumental in giving this State
newspaper with braias behind it, and with
sufficient capital to live without blackmail-
ing candidates for Office We shall be de-
lighted.